ما بال ربعك يا حماة لقد خلا

وبوحشة بعد الانيس تبدلا

What ails your dwellings, O Hama, that they are empty?

They have changed to loneliness after company.

من قبل كان كناس آرام النقا

واليوم ينعب فيه غربان الفلا

Once they were dove nests of gentle rest,

And today ravens of separation croak in them.

عهدي به ولجيده الحالي ضيا

ما كان اسرع ما مضى وتعطلا

My covenant with it and its present condition is loss.

Nothing went by quicker or failed more suddenly.

فلا بكينّ عليه رسما معجماً

ولا فعلنّ الصبر عنه مهملا

So I will neither weep over it with drawn out keening,

Nor show patience over it with neglect.

ولا طلقنّ به جواري ادمعي

ولا جرين من كل عين جدولا

Nor free because of it my tears' handmaidens,

Nor let tears flow from each eye in streams.

ولكم فقير قد اضر به الشقا

ولكم معني قد أحاط به البلا

Yet how many a wretched man has misery afflicted!

And how many a man of purpose has affliction encompassed!

ولكم بها من رام وزنا قلبه

عينا تقطع في الهوى وتفعلا

And how many a heart seeking glory and might

Has an eye that weeps with passion and acts!